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Volunteer Information Session

VOLUNTEER WITH US

Are you interested in emergency preparedness and helping your community? We are looking for individuals to volunteer with the Saanich Emergency Program. Enhance your own preparedness and learn skills to assist others during an emergency or disaster. We are recruiting for positions in Emergency Social Services and Emergency Radio Communications. All training provided.

The Saanich Emergency Program is hosting a

Volunteer Information Session

Thursday, September 10

7:00 p.m.

Gordon Head Recreation Centre

4100 Lambrick Way

Feltham Room

For questions or to rsvp, please contact sep@saanich.ca or 250-475-7145

2015 Fall Emergency Preparedness Presentations

When disaster strikes, your chances of staying safe, healthy and comfortable are much better if you are prepared. This 90-minute presentation offers the information you need to prepare yourself and your family to survive on your own for up to seven days after any type of disaster. The topics include: five disasters most likely to affect Saanich residents; how to respond and protect yourself during these disasters; how to handle utilities and sanitation if services are disrupted; responding to evaucation orders; communicating with family and friends; emergency water, food and equipment; and personal "grab and go" bags. Each household attending will receive a free take-home workbook to assist with emergency planning.

Registration may be done online or at any Saanich Recreation Centre using the Course Code.

VOLUNTEER WITH US!

Are you interested in Emergency Preparedness and helping your community? We are looking for individuals to volunteer with the Saanich Emergency Program. Enhance your own preparedness and learn skills to assist others during an emergency or disaster. We are recruiting for positions in Emergency Social Services and Emergency Radio Communications. All training provided.

Emergency Preparedness Week

The catastrophic earthquake that struck Nepal shows the importance of being
prepared for the unexpected. Increasing family preparedness to survive a natural disaster or
emergency is an important focus of Emergency Preparedness Week, from May 3 to 9 this year. “While emergency preparedness is a shared responsibility among all levels of governments,
preparing ultimately starts at home,” says Deputy Fire Chief Frank Macdonald. “Making sure
your home has enough non-perishable food, water and medical supplies is essential if
something unexpected were to happen.”

Residents need to be prepared to be self-sufficient for a minimum 7 days based on lessons
learned from events around the world. By adding one or two items to your kit each day this
week, by the end of the week you will have built a solid foundation for your family’s emergency
preparedness kit.

Day 1– Water – Make your first bottled water purchase. It is recommended that families stock
four litres of water per person per day. The recommended amount of water is two litres for
drinking, two litres for cooking and cleaning/hygiene per person per day, and remember your
pets. Most bottled water has a two-year shelf life so rotate stock with new purchases to keep
supplies fresh.

Day 2– Food – Set aside food that won’t spoil, such as canned food, energy bars and dried
fruits. Make sure it’s food that everyone in your family will eat, make additional purchases if
necessary. Replace once a year or prior to expiry so that it doesn’t go to waste. If storing
canned foods make sure to include a manual can opener.

Day 3 – Flashlight and Radio – You will need a separate flashlight and portable radio to stay
with your emergency kit. If they are battery powered make sure to include extra batteries and to
replace them once a year. Wind-up radios and flashlights are ideal.

Day 4 – First-Aid Kit – Your emergency kit must include a first-aid kit. Store it in a dry place
and replace used or outdated contents regularly. If you don’t have the necessary supplies at
home to make one, there are numerous safety supply stores that sell first-aid kits.

Day 5 – Special Items – This will be different for every family but may include items such as
prescription medications, infant formula, pet food, and equipment for people with disabilities.

Day 6 – Other Essential Items – Extra keys for your car and house. You will also want to
include: cash in smaller bills as there may not be electricity for bank machines or debit; change
for payphones as cell phone towers may be down; a solar charger for small electrical devices;
candles, matches or lighters (remember to store and use these items with caution).

Day 7 – Assemble Your Supplies and Your Family’s Emergency Plan – Prepare a family
emergency plan including out of area contact information and a family reunification plan. Store
this plan along with your assembled supplies in a suitable container/bag in a safe and
accessible area in or near your home. Water may need to be stored separately due to size and
weight.

Day 8 – Sleep Well – Well done, you’ve created a great foundation for your family’s emergency
preparedness kit. If you are still motivated, there are additional recommended supplies you
could add such as: extra clothing and footwear, sleeping bags, whistle, garbage bags, toilet
paper, safety gloves, basic tools such as hammer and screw driver, small camp stove and fuel.

The Saanich Emergency Program is committed to increasing emergency preparedness for
Saanich residents. To learn more about emergency preparedness, educational courses, or how
to volunteer with the Saanich Emergency Program contact us at 250-475-7140.

Saanich Recognizes Emergency Program Volunteers

It’s Volunteer Appreciation Week April 12-18, 2015 and the Saanich Emergency Program is very proud of the 120 volunteers who support Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness, Emergency Social Services, Communications and Search and Rescue teams.

Emergency Program volunteers provide emergency preparedness presentations, assist
residents displaced by fires, participate in search and rescue operations and wilderness training
exercises, and provide communications support to large public events.

“Saanich Emergency Program volunteers make an incredible contribution to our community.
Volunteers not only help build our response capacity, they learn new skills and grow their
relationships,” says Macdonald.

Saanich Emergency Program volunteer Terrance Berscheid is a perfect example of the greater
impact of volunteering. Terrance gives countless hours to his community. He has volunteered
with the Saanich Emergency Program since 2004 as a core member of both the
Communications and Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program teams.

Since his first Emergency Preparedness presentation in October 2007 to the Tillicum Terrace
Blockwatch group, Terrance has amazingly delivered 141 Emergency Program presentations to
2601 people.

Volunteers have been an integral component of the Saanich Emergency Program since it was
formed in 1963. Volunteering is the foundation much of British Columbia’s major emergency
response capacity is built upon. Approximately 13,000 people across the province volunteer
their time and expertise preparing for and responding to emergency situations.

More information about Saanich’s Emergency Program can be found here
http://www.saanich.ca/sep.

“There's always room for more Emergency Program volunteers. You can join the team by calling
the Emergency Program Office at 250-475-7140,” says Macdonald.

2015 Emergency Preparedness Presentations

When disaster strikes, your chances of staying safe, healthy and comfortable are much better if you are prepared. This 90-minute presentation offers the information you need to prepare yourself and your family to survive on your own for up to seven days after any type of disaster. The topics include: five disasters most likely to affect Saanich residents; how to respond and protect yourself during these disasters; how to handle utilities and sanitation if services are disrupted; responding to evaucation orders; communicating with family and friends; emergency water, food and equipment; and personal "grab and go" bags. Each household participating in the presentation will receive a free take-home workbook to help with emergency planning.

Saturday, February 21, 2015 1-2:30 p.m.

Cedar Hill Recreation Centre, 3220 Cedar Hill Road

Register for Course # 645232 at (250) 475-7121

Wednesday, March 25, 2015, 7-8:30 p.m.

G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre, 3100 Tillicum Road

Register for Course #645231 at (250) 475-5400

Wednesday, April 22, 2015 7-8:30 p.m.

Gordon Head Recreation Centre, 4100 Lambrick Way

Register for Course #645229 at (250) 475-7100

VOLUNTEER WITH US!

Are you interested in Emergency Preparedness and helping your community? We are looking for individuals to volunteer with the Saanich Emergency Program. Enhance your own preparedness and learn skills to assist others during an emergency or disaster. We are recruiting for positions in Emergency Social Services and Emergency Radio Communications. All training provided.

Hot Off the Press...

The Saanich Emergency Program is very pleased to announce that workshop participants (1 per household) will now receive a new Handbook to complement the Personal Emergency Preparendness presentations offered in Saanich Recreation Centres or arranged for groups of 10 or more people.

The goal of the Handbook is:

* to help you prepare for and respond effectively to a wide variety of emergencies and disasters,

* to help you understand what constitutes a disaster,

* to help you develop a sense of how to prepare, and

* to motivate you to move forward.

The presentation and the Handbook will help prepare you and give you the confidence to face any disaster.

According to scientific research, the risk of a significant tsunimi affecting Saanich is small when compared to the communities on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Nonetheless, it is important that residents understand the risks and be prepared to take precautions.

The Capital Regional Disctrict recently hired a consulatnt to conduct a tsunami risk assessment and to identify tsunami planning zones for CRD residents. Below is the link to the new tsunami brochure with a risk map for Saanich and a FAQ sheet. Please refer to these documents to educate yourself about the risk of a tsunami and to plan for your protection. Additional information can be found on this site under the heading Types of Emergencies.

Welcome to the District of Saanich Emergency Program

The Saanich Emergency Program (SEP) is a division of the Saanich Fire Department that provides the
citizens of Saanich with a response to emergencies, major emergencies and disasters. SEP provides for the
continuity of government and the preservation of life and property through a coordinated response by
elected officials, municipal departments, volunteer services and such outside agencies as may be able to
assist during a major emergency or disaster.

Saanich has 100 municipal staff who have received Emergency Operations Centre training. Our Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), will act as a
24-hour "mission control" during a large scale emergency.

172 Saanich volunteers routinely train and exercise to provide support to the EOC as well as provide
community support throughout the year. They are involved in the program under four components.

Emergency Social Services (ESS) and ESS Level One

Search and Rescue (SAR)

Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Team (COMMS)

Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program (NEPP)

For more information about the Saanich Emergency Program and volunteer opportunities check out our site. If you have any questions or would like further information, please call us at: